TL Audio EQ2 Stereo Parametric Equalizer - Used  From Other

TLA's dual-channel EQ2 combines the functions of a mic/line/instrument preamp with a four-band, parametric equaliser. One very unusual but welcome feature is the ability to link the channels so that both sets of parametric equalisers can be controlled using the knobs of one channel. As with all TLA's tube units, the circuitry also includes some solid-state devices, with the aim of combining the tonality of valves with reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Housed in a well-ventilated 3U rack case, the TLA EQ2 uses a solid-state preamp with separate XLR inputs for mic and line. There are also unbalanced jack inputs and outputs for line-level use, plus a further aux jack input accessed via the front panel that can be used with electric guitars, keyboards and similar instrument-level sources. The mic amp offers up to 60dB of gain, while the line input can handle signals in the range -20 to +20dB. Phantom power can be switched independently to the two channels and a button selects mic or line operation.

Also in the input section is a pair of variable-frequency, 12dB/octave high- and low-cut filters, each individually switchable in or out of circuit. These offer frequency ranges of 30Hz to 1kHz for the high-pass filter and 1kHz to 25kHz for the low-pass filter. These shelving filters remain independent, even when the main body of the equaliser is switched for stereo operation. The main equaliser is a four-band, fully parametric affair with a valve stage for each EQ section. Both the high and low sections may be switched to either shelving or band-pass operation, but otherwise the control system follows the usual gain/frequency/bandwidth setup with a ±15dB gain range. Q is variable from 0.5 to 5, though the knob scale is not calibrated so you have to adjust this by ear. The lower two parametric sections cover frequency ranges from 30Hz to 3kHz, while the higher two can each cover 1kHz to 20kHz. This provides plenty of overlap between the bands and also allows two filters to be stacked at the same frequency should this be necessary, as may be the case when you need to create a very deep notch. Each band has its own bypass button with green status LED.

At the end of the signal chain for each channel is a master section comprising a gain control (±15dB range) and a master EQ On button. A stereo linking button is located above the mains power switch and enables both equalisers to track the channel-A knob settings. As pointed out earlier, this doesn't link the high and low-pass shelving filters at the front end. A peak LED warns of impending clipping while an amber Drive LED shows when the valves are being driven hard enough to impart a little character to the sound.